Saturday, January 11, 2014

Concord Gas Light Company Sterling Silver Inkwell Building Replica

New Hampshire Historical Society’s
sterling silver Concord Gas Light Company presentation inkwell was made by
the world-renowned silver manufacturer, William B. Durgin of Concord. Thanks to
collector, Steve V. for this tip about this building replica in the museum's collection. This unique piece of presentation silver,
made as a miniature version of the Concord Gas Light Company’s gasholder house,
was given to John M. Hill, treasurer and manager of the company in 1889. The
circular brick gasholder house building, measuring 86 feet in diameter and
standing 80 feet high, was constructed in 1888. It was capable of holding
125,000 cubic feet of gas. The gasholder house was used until 1952 when the
company hooked up to a larger network supplying natural gas. No longer needing
to store gas, the company put the gasholder house out of service. The structure
today is the only enclosed gasholder house in the United State to have survived
intact. The recipient of the inkwell,
John M. Hill (1821-1900), was the son of New Hampshire Governor Isaac Hill and
Susanna Ayer of Concord, NH. The owner of the New Hampshire Patriot, in
1855 Hill became treasurer and manager of the Concord Gas Light Company,
serving until January 1889. Interested in civic and state improvements, Hill
also served as a member of the Concord Water Commission and Fire Department. He
was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1884.

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